Tigst Assefa Targets World Record at Berlin Marathon

Tigst Assefa will compete at the Berlin Marathon on Sept 27, seeking to reclaim the world record.

What's at stake?

Assefa set the former mark of 2:11:53 when she won in Berlin in 2023. The current world record of 2:09:56 was set by Ruth Chepngetich at the 2024 Chicago Marathon.

A new challenge

Assefa will face defending champion Rosemary Wanjiru of Kenya, who won the 2025 Berlin Marathon in 2:21:05. Assefa won Berlin in 2022 and 2023, but conditions were different last year.

The competition

Sabastian Sawe of Kenya will also compete, targeting another milestone after breaking the two-hour barrier at the 2026 London Marathon. Sawe's 1:59:30 made him a household name, and he plans to lower the mark further. Assefa set the women-only marathon record of 2:15:41 at the 2026 London Marathon. The BMW Berlin Marathon announced its elite headliners for the race on Sept 27. Assefa sent the running world into a frenzy after announcing her intention to reclaim the world record. She will return to the same venue in hopes of reclaiming it. The Berlin Marathon is one of the fastest courses among the Abbott World Marathon Majors.

The stage is set

Berlin's flat, fast course has a history of record-breaking performances. If the conditions are right and the stars deliver on their promises, the iconic venue will see even more records fall. Assefa thanked the organizers for inviting her again and everyone involved for their support. She hopes to see many spectators cheering her on. The 2026 Berlin Marathon will take place on Sept 27. Assefa will be running again on the streets of Berlin and trying to break the world record.